Why You Need Spicy Food in Your Life

Why You Need Spicy Food in Your Life

Sometimes, you just need a little spice. Research shows that spicy, savory food can benefit your body in more ways than just tasting good. We make sure to include a few meals on our menu that rank high on the hotter side. Here are a few big health benefits of spicy food.

1. INCREASE METABOLISM.

Feel the burn. Food with more fiery flavors could help you lose weight. Studies show that spicy food can boost your metabolism and burn more calories post-eating thanks to the ingredient capsaicin, which is found in chile peppers. On top of that, spicy food tends to suppress your appetite longer thanks to its larger-than-life flavors. People who took part in a 2012 research study found that when they ate foods with cayenne pepper, they noticed their cravings for sweet and salty foods decrease.

2. HAVE A HEALTHY HEART.

Sure, maybe your heart feels like it’s about to explode when you douse your food in Sriracha. But studies show that spicy food might actually be good for the heart. Cultures with the spiciest food tend to have lower recorded incidents of heart attacks and stroke, possibly because using hot ingredients like chili peppers can reduce the damage of bad cholesterol. Capsaicin also helps fight inflammation, which is why chile peppers are associated with pain relief.

3. REDUCE STRESS.

Last but certainly not the least, fiery flavors could help with stress and overall well-being. Because spicy food can get your brain to release so-called ‘feel good’ hormones like endorphins, it may help relieve stress and symptoms of depression. The release of endorphins could also explain why spicy food reduces physical pain, including arthritis. One study even found that the Indian spice curcumin (found in turmeric) could help with preventing Alzheimer’s. Heck, we’ll give it a try.